BY STAFF WRITERS

It is one of the biggest days on the annual rugby league calendar and it gives us the chance to pay our respects to our soldiers – past and present.

For the first time since 2002, the Roosters and Dragons will clash on the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Here are five of the best Anzac Day Cup clashes:

A COOL HEAD SAVES THE DAY FOR SAINTS

The 2005 Anzac Day Cup was on its way to Bondi with the Roosters leading St George Illawarra 24-20 with just a few minutes to spare. Enter Dragons halfback Mat Head. With time running out, Head chipped for himself before regathering and sending Matt Cooper away for the equalizer. Head then had a shot from the sideline to steal the win. He didn’t miss.

THAT FINISH WAS CREAGH

St George Illawarra were gone in 2012 with the Roosters leading 24-16 with four minutes to go. Somehow, they escaped with an incredible last-ditch victory, after their inspirational forward Ben Creagh crashed over.

PEARCE KICKS CHOOKS HOME

In his last Anzac Day Cup appearance for his beloved Roosters in 2017, halfback Mitchell Pearce would prove the difference with a golden point field goal sinking the Saints 13-12 in a thriller.

APOCALYPTIC STORM CRASHES THE PARTY

Remember that storm in 2015 that actually stopped the match for 35 minutes? The Dragons eventually got to half-time up 10-6 and then led 14-6 before the Roosters came crowing back to narrow the gap to 14-12. But the Saints would hold on for a very soggy win.

FINCH BREAKS DEAD LOCK

With the scores locked at 8 in the 2004 Anzac Day Cup, Brett Finch stepped up for the Roosters with a drop goal. Moments later, Tricolours tyro Mick Crocker potted a penalty goal to give the Chooks an 11-8 lead. The Dragons had once last shot at the Roosters but a Mat Head bomb sailed over the sidelines – handing the Bondi boys the win.

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